The assessments will cover the following topic areas:
- Number
- Algebra
- Ratio, proportion and rates of change
- Geometry and measures
- Probability
- Statistics
The assessment objectives are to:
- develop fluent knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts
- acquire, select and apply mathematical techniques to solve problems
- reason mathematically, make deductions and inferences, and draw conclusions
- comprehend, interpret and communicate mathematical information in a variety of forms appropriate to the information and context
All examinations take place in the summer of Year 11. There are three equally-weighted papers, each 1 hour 30 minutes in duration. Only Paper 1 is a non-calculator paper.
Each paper has a range of question types; some questions will be set in both mathematical and non-mathematical contexts. The qualification will be graded and certificated on the nine-grade scale from 9 to 1 using the total mark across all three papers where 9 is the highest grade.
There are two tiers of entry:
- Foundation Tier – grades 1 to 5
- Higher Tier – grades 4 to 9 (grade 3 allowed)
The majority of students will be entered for the Higher Tier. The course begins in Year 9.